THE new-look indoor market is taking shape with some businesses already settled into their units as work continues towards the summer launch.

As the project nears completion letting agent Quarterbridge is pleased with the progress made so far.

With a host of long-standing market retailers and opportunities for start up businesses, it is hoped the renovations will prove popular with shoppers.

Work on both the inside and outside of the new Market Quarter is still ongoing but curious customers can wonder round the building and investigate the shops already open for business.

The £3m refurbishment will see the market transformed into a clean, modern attraction with a diverse collection of shops.

As well as the traditional butchers and fishmongers, a mobile phone shop and restaurant are set to move in over the coming months.

Eager to encourage new retailers, Quarterbridge also set up units for short term lease designed for budding entrepreneurs to try out their ideas.

Operational director Andy Morris said: “We have created a block of units for start up businesses.

“If you are a trader or retailer or hobbyist and have an idea and want to go on your own on the high street it’s very difficult.

“But in this you have a short term lease of six months, so you can try your product or try your service and see how it goes.

“We want people with new ideas who don’t want to let a high street unit for four or five years with massive overheads.”

These 100sq ft units are priced at less than £14 a day.

The new market design is set to offer more than just shops too.

Anyone passing the development on the Market Street side will see the wall dominated by windows in front of the pavement, which has doubled in width.

A new restaurant is set to move into to this part of the building – and when the weather is nice the windows will open out to tables on the pavement – so shoppers can have their lunch in the sun.

A designated area for demonstrations and performances will also be a feature of the new market, with cooking classes, arts and crafts lessons and Santa’s Grotto all ideas being put forward to attract shoppers. Market bosses will also seek to arrange specialist outdoor markets to add something different on the streets surrounding the building.

The majority of units have already been let out, but there are still opportunities for retailers interested in moving to the market.

Mr Morris said: “We are delighted with the amount of lettings we have had so far.We have let 80% of the leases.”

Although the market is open for business now, work is expected to be completed in the early summer.

A major launch will be organised to showcase the new-look market and Mr Morris is excited over how the development will look once complete.

He said: “We want the people of Southport to come and see it’s so far so good.”

Steve Irwin, Sefton Council’s tourism operations manager is just as excited with the project.

He said: “It’s exceeded the expectation of me and the traders – it’s going to transform this area so it’s got to be a good thing.”

The new market’s launch weekend is expected to take place in late June or early July.